I’ve been discovering that New College Library’s unique collections include some fascinating materials from the Church of Scotland’s development of missions to Jews in the Middle East, in the nineteenth century. In particular we hold books, archives and objects relating to Rev. Andrew A. Bonar and Rev. Robert Murray McCheyne, and a selection of items from these collections are now on display in the New College Library entrance. Bonar and McCheyne were appointed by the Church of Scotland in 1838 as part of a deputation to visit Jewish communities in Europe and the Middle East, with a view to future mission activity.

Remains of Andrew Bonar’s Bible. New College Library, Object 57

This is the remains of Andrew Bonar’s Bible, which was dropped into Jacob’s Well at Sychar in Samaria by its owner in 1839, and recovered years later. Only a fragment of the original text remains.

Bonar, Andrew. Letter, to James Bonar, Lake of Galilee 15 July 1839. New College Library, Box 28.4.9

New College Library holds several letters from Andrew Bonar’s trip to the Holy Land, including letters to his brother James written in Jerusalem and Galilee.

McCheyne, Robert Murray. Diary of a trip to Palestine. 1839. New College Library, MACCH 1.9

This small pocket book was used by Robert Murray McCheyne to record impressions and sketches from his trip.

McCheyne, Robert Murray. Diary and sketches of Palestine Trip. 1839. New College Library, MACCH 1.8

This larger diary was used for daily entries on McCheyne’s travels, with small sketches. This page is headed “Oh what an opportunity for preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ!”.

Portable Writing Desk of Robert Murray McCheyne. New College Library, Object 81.

This portable writing desk has a well documented provenance as being formerly owned by Robert Murray McCheyne. It is lined with green felt and severely stained with ink, presumably from regular usage.